Before I get going with Journeyman's Journey II for proper, I'll be giving a round-up of the top level playable leagues to see what has happened in this game world from the start (2016) to now (2066). For any other viewable competitions, feel free to ask and I'll have a look.

(click show spoiler)

Africa: South Africa

Mamelodi Sundowns have been the dominant force, winning eighteen Premier Soccer League titles. Kaizer Chiefs aren't far behind, winning fifteen on their part. Orlando Pirates have won a far amount, while the likes of Ajax Cape Town, Cape Town City and SuperSport United have also claimed top division success.

Asia: Australia

Melbourne Victory have won ten Finals, the most of any club in this period. Sydney have won two fewer, eight in total. All the other teams have won it at some point, except one. The Central Coast Mariners haven't won it once, I suppose they are more than happy with their inflatable tomato sauce bottles!

Asia: China

There's no doubting which club has dominated the Chinese Super League - that's Shanghai SIPG. They've won an excellent twenty league titles since 2016, including seven of the last eight. Behind them, there's a surprise club - Shanghai Shenxin have won the top-flight ten times - in real life, they're a fairly basic League One (tier two) team; they've even won the AFC Champions League twice! Real life powerhouse Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao have only won it five times.

Asia: Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a place I managed during Journeyman's Journey I, coaching Eastern and South China - I won the Premier League twice with Eastern but not with South China. Neither of them have been the big force in the autonomous territory, that club has been Kitchee who have clinched its top honour twenty-two times. South China and Sun Hei, a surprise, have won ten each.

Asia: India

Bengaluru have absolutely bossed the I-League, winning it on forty occasions. DSK Shivajians are the only other club to win, they've won it ten times. No other club has knocked Bengaluru off top. Sheer domination.

Asia: Indonesia

Barito Putera hadn't won the Super League pre-2016, but they've tasted triumph eighteen times in this save - a league best. Persib and Persipura (a former club of mine in JJI) are their nearest competitors, winning ten and seven respectively.

Asia: Malaysia

No shocks in Malaysia, as Selangor and Johor Darul Ta'zim are the big boys there. They've shared the title in all bar one season since the beginning, Felda United actually won it in 2017 but since then Johor DT have won it thirty times while Selangor have won seventeen of their own.

Asia: Singapore

Singapore's top dog is Home United, who have secured the title twenty times in the save so far - including ten in a row between 2055 and 2064. Garena Young Lions have won twelve, most coming at the start of the save. Geylang International and Balestier Khalsa have won it a good amount of times too. My old club Albirex Niigata (S) have won three S. Leagues since I left in 2016.

Asia: South Korea

There's big news from South Korea. Gangwon are the biggest Korean club nowadays, they've won the K League Classic in all of the last twenty-five seasons! Before that, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Suwon Samsung Bluewings were the big boys - winning nine apiece.

Europe: Austria

Red Bull Salzburg remain the force in Austria, winning the last fifteen titles (twenty-eight overall). The only other winners have come from Vienna, Austria (my old club) and Rapid with ten and eleven.

Europe: Belarus

Belarus has had a decent mix of champions, although BATE have been most successful as expected with twenty-nine. Neman Grodno and Shakhtar Soligorsk are the best of the rest with four and six. Minsk, Torpedo BelAZ and Vitebsk are other notable winners along with Dinamo Minsk.

Europe: Belgium

Anderlecht have won the Belgium title thirty-three times, by far the most. Club Brugge have won nine titles while Standard Liège have achieved seven. No other winners since 2016.

Europe: Bulgaria

Ludogorets are still dominating Bulgaria, gaining another thirty-eight league honours. Other than them, CSKA Sofia and Levski Sofia have done well, Slavia Sofia have won it twice.

Europe: Croatia

Croatia has been a bloodbath of Dinamo Zagreb dominance. They have won every single season since 2016, gaining a total of fifty top division titles. That's hella impressive! Behind them, it's been domination from Rijeka and Hajduk Split who have been either second or third in every season - except one, RNK Split got third in 2024 instead of Hajduk.

Europe: Czechia

Just two clubs have won the Czech top-flight: Sparta Prague and Viktoria Plzeň. Sparta winning sixteen, Plzeň winning a superb thirty-four; becoming the big boy in Czechia.

Europe: Denmark

Copenhagen have won the Superliga thirty-two times, Midtjylland have won a nice thirteen. Odense have won it a few times, Aalborg and Nordsjælland got one each.

Europe: England

Manchester City are England's biggest threat, claiming twenty-four Premier League titles, their city rivals United have won only five. Arsenal have won ten, bringing their overall total to twenty-three. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have won it since 2016, but Liverpool still haven't got that illusive nineteenth domestic title. That's despite the likes of AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United winning it in this period.

Europe: Finland

In Finland, HJK have won thirty-two leagues so remain the top team. SJK have been their closest threat, winning eight times. Lahti surprisingly won it in 2018.

Europe: France

Everyone would expect Paris Saint-Germain to be France's outstanding club, and they have won it the most with twenty-four, but Marseille have stepped up towards the end of this spell with sixteen Ligue 1 trophies. Monaco have eight to their name while Lyon won it once in 2060.

Europe: Germany

There have been serious spells of dominance from different clubs in Germany's top-flight. Borussia Dortmund dominated early on, getting fifteen titles between 2016 and 2036. Then Borussia Mönchengladbach had a patch, winning the Bundesliga fifteen times themselves between 2036 and 2055. The most recent spell of bossing it has come from Bayern Munich, who have won all of the last ten titles. Other than them three, RB Leipzig and Bayer Levekusen have got the top honours more than once.

Europe: Greece

Greek football has become more competitive. Olympiacos and Panathinaikos have won a lot of the titles but other sides like Atromitos, Asteras Tripoli, PAOK, Xanthi and AEK Athens have claimed the Superleague crown.

Europe: Hungary

Ferencvárosi are commanding Hungary, celebrating thirty-four leagues. DVSC and Videoton have mainly been the teams to win it if Ferencvárosi failed to do so.

Europe: Iceland

FH have won the most titles in Iceland with twenty-three, Stjarnan have won twelve while KR (10) have done largely well.

Europe: Israel

How about Israel? Well, Hapoel Be'er-Sheva and Maccabi Tel-Aviv have been dominant. Hapoel claiming eighteen, to Maccabi's twenty-eight. Apart from them, only Bnei Yehuda, Maccabi Petach-Tikva and Maccabi Haifa have won Israel's top league.

Europe: Italy

Over in Serie A, Juventus have only won the scudetto five times! Roma have taken their place, winning a stunning thirty titles. AC Milan, Inter Milan and Torino are the only clubs to have won it.

Europe: Netherlands

Ajax are still on top, winning the preceding thirteen Eredivisie trophies; overall, they've won thirty. PSV challenged them a lot in the earlier years, they won it sixteen times. AZ won it twice in 2018 and 2022, while Feyenoord's only triumph arrived in 2043.

Europe: Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, Cliftonville have been the bee's knees by grabbing twenty-nine Premierships. Linfield (11) have otherwise been a regular champion, while Portadown and Glentoran have won a couple.

Europe: Norway

Norway's regular winners have been Molde, they've won a pretty ridiculous forty-three titles. Rosenborg have stopped them five times (three coming in the last three years), as did Stabæk in 2021.

Europe: Poland

Over to Poland, where the Ekstraklasa has been exclusively shared between Lech Poznań and Legia Warsaw. However, Legia have bossed it with thirty-four honours while Legia have won the other fifteen. Lechia Gdańsk have been the only side to even break the top two dominance of those two.

Europe: Portugal

No mishaps from the 'big three' in Portugal, no-one has won it ahead of those aforementioned clubs. Here's how it stood between 2016 and 2066. Benfica (30), Sporting CP (15) and Porto (6).

Europe: Republic of Ireland

Nineteen titles have come the way of Dundalk, taking their overall tally to thirty. Shamrock Rovers have won twelve, with St. Patrick's Athletic getting seven. A couple of others have won it, most notably Galway United in 2037; their very first.

Europe: Romania

FCSB are still the best in Romania, thirty-eight titles have gone to Bucharest. Some others have still won it though, including two teams who have won it for the first-time (and not the only time): Iaşi have won three and Viitorul have won four.

Europe: Russia

Russian football has Krasnodar ruling it, they've won a total of twenty-four Premier League trophies. CSKA Moscow won a lot early on, prior to shock relegation. Zenit have triumphed a good amount of times, while Rostov have notably won it twice.

Europe: Scotland

Celtic ran riot in Scotland's early years, they got the first thirty-two leagues consecutively in this save. 2051 saw a change, Rangers won it three times in a row as well as five in a row between 2058 and 2062 (two of those won by me!). Dundee United surprisingly won the Premiership in 2054 and 2056.

Europe: Serbia

Red Star Belgrade have won the Serbian league twenty-eight times, their rivals Partizan have got success seventeen times. Radnicki shocked all in 2038 by winning it, while Vojvodina have claimed their first three titles throughout these years.

Europe: Slovakia

Twenty-two Slovak top division titles have gone to Slovan Bratislava, while MŠK Žilina have won seventeen. Trenčín being the only other champion of Slovakia, they've got ten to their name.

Europe: Slovenia

As for Slovenia, Maribor are still the big guns, thirty-seven trophies have taken their overall score to fifty. Olimpija Ljubljana have done their best to overthrow Maribor by winning ten PrvaLigas. Domžale have won it twice.

In the old home of Zlatan Ibrahimović, his old team Malmö are the country's best after winning forty-three trophies including two separate runs of thirteen in a row. AIK have been the best of the rest with four.

Europe: Switzerland

Apart from five titles to Young Boys, Basel have won every other season in Switzerland's top-flight. Basel's overall total is at sixty-three, which shows no signs of stopping as they've won the last ten in a row!

Europe: Turkey

Beşiktaş have been the boss of Turkey in recent decades, overall winning twenty-one Super League titles. However, Fenerbahçe have surpassed by one overall after winning twenty-two. Galatasaray have won only three, while Balıkesirspor 'did a Leicester City' in 2048 to win the Turkish top tier.

Europe: Ukraine

Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv were Ukraine's dominant duo in the early decades, overall winning twenty-five (three by me) and eleven respectively. However, from 2052 there's been a big change. Dynamo haven't won it since 2040 and Shakhtar have only won it once since 2051 when I left. Olexandriуa have actually become the top team, winning nine of the last nine! Big turnaround, that!

Europe: Wales

Bala Town are very surprisingly Wales' greatest, they came into the save with zero titles but have since won a magnificent twenty-seven! The New Saints are still threatening, winning fifteen. There have been a few shock winners, aside from Bala. Port Talbot Town won it twice in the 2020s, Airbus UK Broughton won it in 2031 while Newtown have won two.

North America: Mexico

Santos Laguna have been the best in Mexico, winning either the Opening or Closing stage forty-eight times. Tigres, meanwhile, have won twenty-three Liga MX titles. Club América are the best of the rest with nine.

North America: United States

MLS Cup has been shared dramatically, with no team seriously dominating. LA Galaxy have won the most with twelve, New York City winning six while New York Red Bulls and Toronto have five each.

South America: Argentina

Seventeen titles have gone to Boca Juniors, while Racing Club have triumphed on fifteen occasions. River Plate have only won nine titles. Others shared by a few, including San Lorenzo and Independiente.

South America: Brazil

In Brazil, Corinthians are dominant with thirteen league honours. Flamengo have competed the ride eleven times. Nine titles have gone to São Paulo, Palmeiras have won eight times.

South America: Chile

Colo-Colo and Universidad de Chile have control of Chile. Colo-Colo have twenty-five titles to them, while Universidad de Chile have won four fewer in twenty-one. A couple of others have won it.

South America: Colombia

Atlético Nacional have bossed Colombia, winning either the First or Second phase eighty-six times! Extraordinary. Santa Fe (7) and Deportes Tolima (2) the other bright lights.

South America: Peru

Peruvian's best club is Alianza Lima, twenty-seven titles have been won by them. Universitario have fourteen to their name. Elsewhere, Universidad César Vallejo have won the first two titles in their history.

South America: Uruguay

Nacional and Peñarol have been the only winners of Uruguay's top-flight. Nacional winning thirteen, but Peñarol have been far on top by winning thirty-six.

Other: World Cup

England and Turkey the only real surprises, England in 2022 and Turkey in 2030 but the other champions are no shock: Brazil, France, Portugal and Spain (x2), Italy and Argentina (x1).

Here's the manager profile - Meet: Alfredo Zoido. An Argentine football manager, aged 24. He has just Sunday League experience and no coaching badges.

...and here are the leagues loaded. I've gone for North and South America, mainly for the Spanish-speaking countries but also Brazil and the United States.

There were a couple of interesting vacancies in Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay. I applied for the necessary jobs and awaited responses. Macaé in Brazil's Serie C were the first to offer me an interview, before their country and league counterparts Internacional (not to be confused with theInternacional of Serie A) did the same. Another interview came from Uruguay Montevideo of, yep you've guessed it, Uruguay. Three intriguing jobs, I attended all three interviews. Macaé liked me but went with someone else, but Internacional did the opposite...

Alfredo Zoido is off to Brazil for his first job!

As mentioned, Internacional are the namesakes of two-time Copa Libertadores champions Internacional. They're from Lages, Santa Catarina in Brazil and play their football at the Estádio Vidal Ramos Júnior (pictured above). In terms of honours, the club have won just one major trophy since it was founded in 1949 - that was the 1965 Santa Catarina State Championship. They've also won the lower state championships in the past, but have never tasted 'league' success. That's something to note in Brazil, football is pretty much all year round with the State Championship starting in January and the actual league (in our case, Serie C) starting in May.

This is only their third season in 'league' football in the save (since 2016, remember), so it is going to be a big challenge!

Here's Internacional's current situation*:

*I've modified the screenshot team names for some, as Football Manager doesn't have the licences needed for Brazilian football and I didn't install the name fix before the save started (which you need to do for Brazilian teams). I don't mind the three-letter abbreviations (COR for Corinthians etc.) but I understand why most people dislike them.

Back-to-back draws, this time with Metropolitano. Left-winger playing right-winger Glauciano scored a belting goal to put us ahead, but our hosts hit back a few minutes later.

Santa Catarina State Championship (MD6/9 - Opening Stage)

Toughest test of the state championship so far, Joinville of Serie B. They dominated from beginning to end, had twenty+ shots but only won 0–2. Our cause wasn't helped by Glauciano, the star man from the Metropolitano match, who got sent off just before the interval. Backs against the wall afterwards, we defended spiritedly.

Two draws and a defeat to start life with Internacional, against the expectation of "don't be outclassed". We look decent at the back, but need a sharper attacking threat. In the Santa Catarina State Championship, we sit 6th behind the 'big five' of Joinville, Avaí, Figueirense, Criciúma and Chapecoense. We're ahead of the bottom four, all of whom are in Serie D or lower so we, as a Serie C side, will be aiming for 6th.

I've signed two players so far, the window remains open until April (for foreign players) and September (for domestic players). In come Carlos Antônio and Guilherme, both are right midfielders. On arrival, I noticed we literally had no right midfielders so needed two. Both on loan from lower division clubs, Antônio is currently first-choice.

Another tough test, Serie B's Criciúma deservedly won 2–0 via a Calabrese brace. Similar to the Joinville match; our higher division opponents dominated, we defended nicely but their quality shone.

Santa Catarina State Championship (MD8/9 - Opening Stage)

Penultimate match of the opening stage, we suffered our third straight defeat. Fellow Serie C, although a bigger club, team Figueirense easily beat us by three goals to zero, Damasceno with a double for them. Probably the worst performance of my tenure, didn't even defend good here.

Somewhat disappointing draw with Guarani to start the closing stage. Felt we played good enough to win, but we just haven't got the end product that's needed.

Santa Catarina State Championship (MD2/9 - Closing Stage)

Another goalless draw, which emphasises my previous points: good defence, poor attack. Concórdia AC performed OK, but we should've got the three points. Alfredo Zoido remains winless in his managerial career.

We finished the opening stage in 7th, decent considering our expectations. We've began the closing stage, sit 6th at the moment following two draws. In the overall table, which goes towards relegation, we are 7th; four points clear of the two relegation spots.

Two more players have arrived, a striker and a goalkeeper. Juan Mascherano is the striker, an Argentine forward most recently with Unión Santa Fe. Free transfer, hoped he'd change our fortunes upfront but hasn't done so yet. The goalkeeper is Souza, coming from local side Juventus. Just for back-up as Azul was the only 'keeper at the club.

Avaí, the opening stage winners, comfortably win against us at the Estádio da Ressacada. An own-goal and two strikes from Souza the difference.

Santa Catarina State Championship (MD4/9 - Closing Stage)

We scored! Unfortunately, it comes in yet another loss. Bottom of the table Metropolitano scored twice in two first-half minutes, a second own-goal in as many games from Giovani Lins. February signing Juan Mascherano did at least get us a goal, just the second one of Alfredo Zoido's reign; the other also came versus Metropolitano.

Santa Catarina State Championship (MD5/9 - Closing Stage)

Victory! After nine matches without a win, Alfredo Zoido tastes three points for the first time against Brusque. Two goals in a row for Juan Mascherano now, hopefully a sign he's settling in. Relived to have finally won, needed it big time with our final few closing stage fixtures coming against the bigger clubs.

Santa Catarina State Championship (MD6/9 - Closing Stage)

Back down to earth, a third closing stage loss comes at Arena Joinville. Comfortable for the home team.

Another defeat to Criciúma, again by two goals to zero and again Calabrese scores a first-half brace.

Santa Catarina State Championship (MD8/9 - Closing Stage)

Decent performance, we battled well with Figueirense but an own-goal got them the victory.

Santa Catarina State Championship (MD9/9 - Closing Stage)

Our closing stage campaign and our 2018 state championship campaign ends with a loss in Chapecó to Chapecoense, Jobson's red card on twenty-six minutes killed any unlikely hope that we'd do anything in this encounter.

Club Friendly

First of three home friendlies in preparation for the start of our Serie C campaign. Starts with the familiar feeling of defeat, to Brusque who we beat in the closing stage of the state championship.

Our closing stage is over, we complete it in 8th following one win, two draws and six defeats. That one win was crucial, as we've avoided relegation in the overall table by three points - placing 7th. Despite a truck tonne of losses, we actually performed good in total - our expectation was 'don't be outclassed' so we were expected to be at the bottom and probably relegated so all in all a good state championship run.

Another convincing loss, to Metropolitano this time. Now lost to two Serie D teams - that doesn't bode well for our upcoming Serie C campaign.

Club Friendly

Three friendlies, three defeats by the scoreline of 0–2. At least we're consistent! Novo Hamburgo, of Serie D, won it with ease; especially after Denílson Fernandes' red card.

Serie C (MD1/18 - First Stage, Group B)

Good performance to begin Serie C, but a loss nevertheless. Basically the exact same scenario as the Santa Catarina State Championship meeting between us two: another late Figueirense winner.

Serie C (MD2/18 - First Stage, Group B)

Point on the board! A welcomed goalless draw at home to Macaé, which gives Alfredo Zoido the first league point of his managerial career.

Serie C (MD3/18 - First Stage, Group B)

Great way to end May 2066. Three points! Two unbeaten now, first time I've been able to say that with any real conviction. Debut goal for new loan signing Wanderson. Botafogo weren't easily beat, but I'd say we merited the victory.

Undefeated streak of two over. Top of the table Oeste make it four wins in a row for them, Rodolfo Pavone with their goals. Interesting first two appearances for Wanderson, a goal last time out but then he gets himself sent off here.

Serie C (MD5/18 - First Stage, Group B)

Despite a loss to Tupi, I was pleased with the performance. Two goalkeeping errors were the reason they got their goals to be honest, Azul has been reliable so far but he certainly had an off day here: awful positioning for the first goal, allowed Jefferson to score from range while he misjudged a corner cross for goal two; I had to sub him off. Glad we got a goal, albeit a consolation, to show for our efforts via João Pedro.

Serie C (MD6/18 - First Stage, Group B)

Third straight loss, this one coming away to Caxias. They deserved to win.

That could be a costly loss of points against URT. Yet another own-goal, our sixth (!) of the season, hands them an undeserved victory. We drop into the relegation zone as a result.

Serie C (MD9/18 - First Stage, Group B)

Scenes! Totally unexpected win at home to GE Brasil. They took the lead early on, dominated for the majority but we equalised on 68mins via an own-goal (finally one in our favour!) prior to new signing Leonardo Russo grabbing the points on 89mins with a stunning free-kick! That Rosso winner came ten minutes after we went down to ten men, too! Top win.

Serie C (MD10/18 - First Stage, Group B)

First hammering of the year. Figueirense showed no mercy and put five past us, on our own turf.

Serie C (MD11/18 - First Stage, Group B)

Much improved performance vs. Macaé, but it wasn't enough to stop us losing to a team that goes (temporarily at least) top of Group B after a 78th-minute Alex goal.

Serie C (MD12/18 - First Stage, Group B)

The day relegation was all but secured? Critical loss at home to bottom of the table Botafogo. Unfortunate time to play Botafogo, they were winless but had just beat Oeste who were top. We go last with six fixtures to go. Looks bleak.

10th in Serie C. Not looking good, still gotta play URT but even beating them might not be enough.

Leonardo Russo was pre-arranged from a month or two ago, he got that great goal versus GE Brasil - he looks decent. Julián Cortez was somewhat of a 'panic buy', I just wanted a fresh striker to try and lighten us up but it hasn't worked yet.

Harsh 4–1 defeat to Oeste. It was 1–1 for 59mins after Julián Cortez had equalised Ruy's early goal on 19mins. They went onto score three more goals, a fourth with ten men after a late injury. Six points from safety now, after Botafogo beat Tupi.

Serie C (MD14/18 - First Stage, Group B)

Another three-goal losing margin, this one made for painful viewing as Tupi destroyed us inside the first 14mins - another own-goal kickstarted their short but deadly rampage.

Serie C (MD15/18 - First Stage, Group B)

Positive result in August's final competitive fixture, a one-one tie with promotion-chasing Caxias. Juan Mascherano snatching us a point eleven minutes from time. Despite that, relegation is almost upon us; five points adrift with nine points left open.

Back to losing ways, Juventude take the points in a tight encounter. We're now six points from safety with only six points available. It will be confirmed soon.

Club Friendly

Second victory in three matches, sadly both have come in friendlies with non-league outfits; this time Aimoré.

Serie C (MD17/18 - First Stage, Group B)

Wow. A two-goal competitive win, without conceding! First time that's happened in my tenure, against a relegation rival in URT too. So, what's the catch?

There it is! We beat URT, the team above the drop zone, so needed the team below them (Botafogo) to draw or lose... so what did Botafogo do? They conveniently won, of course. Relegation confirmed, which means...

Alfredo Zoido has been sacked. Harsh, but it was always going to happen following relegation as Football Manager doesn't have Serie D as one of its playable leagues. Otherwise, I'm certain Zoido would've kept his job, the board were fully supportive all season never once deviating from the job status of 'stable'; even going up to 'secure' at times. Shame.

At the time of the sacking, we sat 10th - admittedly, if Botafogo hadn't got that interestingly timed win we still would've been three points from safety with it out of our hands but still, tough to take. Job one, relegation one for Alfredo Zoido.

Initially, there were no jobs at Zoido's level. A little while later the media began linking him with the Aparecidense job, a Brazilian Serie C team just like Internacional. I would've very much wanted that job, however there was one big issue - they got relegated, meaning I couldn't even apply (due to FM limits, mentioned previously). So, I had to wait until late-December before any jobs popped up that were possible.

Villa Española of Uruguay tier two were the first, closely followed by numerous Colombian second tier clubs. The Uruguayans were the first to offer a job interview, which I took. It went well, therefore...

From Brazil to Uruguay! Zoido is off to Montevideo to manage Villa Española!

Villa Española currently play in the Uruguayan second tier, the Segunda División to be precise. In the save (2016 to 2067), they've been up and down from the Primera División numerous times throughout but have mostly been a Segunda club. Villa Española play their home football at the Estadio Obdulio Varela on the outskirts of Montevideo, it has a capacity of 3,700. As for honours, El Villa have won the Segunda División four times (2001, 2022, 2041, 2046) as well as many amateur titles pre-2014.

Zoido and his new team will likely be in the fight from relegation, which is calculated by an average points table. Should they exceed that, 1st and 2nd win promotion while 3rd to 6th go into the play-offs. 2067 brings the start of a new season, in 2066 Villa Española placed third bottom of the Segunda División. As for the relegation average points table, they sit fairly comfortably in 6th (15th goes down).